By David Lawani, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded N15m as general damages to a former Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer, Mr Ime Nta, following physical assaults, embarrassment, and humiliation meted out to him by his superior officers about nine years ago.
Justice Bello Kawu made the award on September 24, 2024, while delivering judgment in a suit numbered CV/1092/2016.
The matter was between Ime Nta, the claimant, and two defendants, Mohammed Zaik and Tamunopirik Auguma Virginia Oyedeji.
The court further awarded another N1m against the plaintiffs as the cost of the suit as well as an additional N100,000 to the claimant as a cost for medication and hospital bills following the physical assault.
The assault and humiliation happened on December 2, 2015, in Abuja when the claimant, who was serving in the Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Command of the NIS at the time as Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, was in Abuja for promotion examination and screening.
The first defendant, Mohammed Zaik, was Chief Superintendent, while the second defendant, Tamunopirik Auguma Virginia Oyedeji, was comptroller. They both served at Sauka, Abuja headquarters.
Both had scorned Nta as a petition writer and whistle-blower in the NIS and threw punches at him, thereby disrupting the examination and resulting in bodily injuries.
Lebari Leesi and A. Alfa were counsels to the claimant, while M.A. Abubakar appeared for the defendants.
